“Today is a special day for our school community as we officially welcome our beautiful palm tree to our courtyard,” said CASS principal Marcy Bell.

CASS opened in 1972 and one of its trademarks was the ficus trees planted in the courtyard, only reaching seven feet in the beginning years.

However, over 36 years, these trees reached more than 30 feet high. They had to be regularly pruned.

“In the summer of 2008, our green friends had to be removed, which was a sad day for all,” Bell said.

“However, we are so fortunate today to have this beautiful 25-foot queen palm tree now making its home with us.

“Our courtyard is our school’s hub and home and we are joining today as a school community to celebrate bringing back our CASS roots.”

Staff member Barb Willoughby said the story began with Ted Kostiuk, of Old Mill Bay, north of Sault Ste. Marie.

Kostiuk was in Port Dover, Ont., were five palm trees were planted on the beach of a Lake Erie restaurant.

“Having a camp at Old Mill Bay, Ted wanted a palm tree on his beach,” Willoughby said. “So, a few years later when he was in Fort Myers, Fla., he arranged for the transport of a palm to Canada, and planted it out front of his camp.”

It grew and flourished all summer.

“The tree would die in our winter, so it had to be moved,” Willoughby added. “This is where I came in”

The tree was stored in the school’s greenhouse for the past three weeks while a pot was made. Many students assisted in the move, care and pot preparations.

During a recent professional development day, about 15 teachers and other staff carried the tree to the courtyard.

Assisting with the move was Glenn Lawrence, of Desbarats-based Lawrence Springwater Farms.

Willoughby said the palm was lifted using a motor hoist and positioned over the awaiting pot.

Staff stood on the catwalk above the courtyard and pulled with ropes while others walked their hands up the truck of the tree, putting it into place.

Willoughby said the tree is presently under stress, having been moved a couple of times in the past few weeks. Helpful tips to keep the tree healthy include not pulling on the back or touching it.

The queen palm is native to South America and can grow 90 feet high. When in flower, long strands of small blossoms hang in clumps. Each flower becomes a fruit, one inch long, orange when ripe and poisonous.

“Our courtyard is one step closer to being the treed place it once was,” Willoughby said.